Written by Drizzt.

«After Menelaus’ marriage to Helen, they had a daughter, Hermione, and two sons, Nicostratus and Plisthenes. After a few years the Trojan prince Paris came to visit Sparta on an embassy from Troy. However, the goddess Aphrodite was plotting to give Helen over to Paris, and made her fall in love with him when she saw him. He managed to kidnap her and steal her away to be his bride in Troy. When Menelaus learnt of this adulterous kidnapping, he went to his brother in Mycenae and together they threatened war against Troy. The Oath of Tyndareus was invoked, and all the great Achaean leaders rallied to the cause of Menelaus’ marriage. When Paris refused to give up Helen, the Achaean army sailed from Aulis in Boeotia to attack Troy.»

Menelaos

‘Troy: Total War – Aristeia’s Zhuge Liang recently displayed one of the hero’s to be featured in his mod, set during the epic Trojan War. Menelaos was the husband of Helen and the king of Sparta, inheriting the crown from Tyndareus, his father-in-law. He is probably the most famous cuckold in history. As the mod is for ‘Rome Total War – Alexander’ each hero can be given a unique model. The team has taken advantage of this feature and given Menelaos a great look with an intricate pattern etched into his armor and shield. But don’t take my word for it, have a look for yourself at the team’s forums.

Menelaos (In-game)

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Tags: Alexander, Aristeia, Creative Assembly, Menelaos, Menelaus, Mythology, Rome: Total War, RTW, Trojan War, Troy: Total War, TTW

«Around 580 AD, Ebrauc fell to Deiran Angles. Urien was the first to react to this. He set up a campaign against the Angles of Deira and Bernicia, leading the coalition of the northern kingdoms, gathering Rydderch Hael of Alcluyd, Gwallawc Marchawc Trin of Elmet, Morcant Bulc of Bryneich but also Aeddan mac Gabran of Dal Riada and other gaelic allies. The Britons won a series of victories, Gwen Ystrad, Berwyn, and Argoed Llywfein where Owein, Urien’s son, is supposed to have killed Theodoric, the Angle king. Urien claimed the area around Cathraeth, modern Catterick. Around 590 AD, the Angles were pushed back to the sea edge, and besieged by the Britons at Ynis Metcaut (Lindisfarne). But one of Urien’s allies, Morcant of Bryneich, was jealous of his sucess and ordered his assassination. Urien was killed and the british coalition disolved.»

Sutton Hoo Ceremonial Helmet

‘The Song of Taliesin’ is a modification for ‘Mount & Blade’ which was formerly known as ‘Land of Eternal Youth’, and released under that name for M&B v0.906 (get that version here). The mod, which is set in the British Isles and has a starting date of 580 AD, will allow players «to join one of six kingdoms: Rheged, Alcluyd, Gododdin, Bernicia, Dal Riata and Fortriu, and decide about fate of Northern Britain.»

The mod is now previewing their progress towards a new release for M&B v1.011, showcasing the music which will be available in an optional soundtrack; information on the mod; many new banners; and renders of new armours, helmets, weapons and shields. We are also promised more previews in July & August, and a first release in September. Read all about it here.

Discuss in the forums.

Tags: Dark Ages, History, M&B, Mount & Blade, Preview, Scutum, Song of Taliesin, SoT, Spatha, Sutton Hoo Ceremonial Helmet, TaleWorlds

Marcel has posted a teaser for a new faction – The Kingdom of Aghios – for his fantasy mod ‘Iustus Bellum’. The preview unveils the faction’s emblem and some of its units, as well as a loading screen and a look at the UI. See it all here!

Nea Aghia (Armoured)

‘Iustus Bellum’ is a modification for ‘Rome: Total War’ v1.5.

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Tags: Aghios, Creative Assembly, Fantasy, IB, Iustus Bellum, Nea Aghia, Rome: Total War, RTW

Written by Drizzt.

‘Vaccus Lux Lucis’ is a mod for ‘Medieval II: Total War – Kingdoms’, and is one of the most eagerly awaited ones in the community. They’ve released some samples of the music we’ll hear, and they are a real treat. Seeing as how the mod is set in Dark Ages Britain, with a timeframe stretching from 620 AD and going all the way to 1050 AD, the music is very martial, with drums throbbing and lutes stirring your blood.

The choral pieces are fantastic, and really suit the setting. Of course, the music is as close to the original as possible, given present day knowledge. With the music implemented in what is shaping up to be a fantastic mod, I can only cross my fingers and hope for an early release. You can listen to the music and learn more about the mod right here.

Discuss in the forums.

Tags: Creative Assembly, Dark Ages, History, M2TW, Medieval II: Total War, Music, Preview, Vacuus Lux Lucis, VLL

«The Parthians are a nomadic people who conquered and settled in the area near the Caspian Sea in the 4th century BC as part of the Dahae confederation. Since that time the Parthians, under their Arsacid rulers (named after King Arsaces I), have fiercely maintained their independence. The Seleucids have, from time to time, claimed to be the overlords of Parthia and, from time to time, have actually been strong enough to try and enforce their claim, but the Parhians outlived them and without the shadow of the seleucids, have become the dominant power in the region.»

‘Spartacus: Total War’, the modification which is focused on the gladiator uprising led by Spartacus, has previewed another faction that will be included in the mod: Parthia. Check out screenshots and renders of the Parthian units here, as well as much information on the faction.

Indian Longbowman

‘Spartacus: Total War’ is a modification for ‘Rome: Total War’ v1.5.

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Tags: Creative Assembly, Gladiator War, Gladiators, History, Indian Longbowmen, Parthia, Preview, Rome: Total War, RTW, Spartacus, Spartacus: Total War, Third Servile War, War of Spartacus

The Town of Hopeless

Some of you may remember the cult game `Planescape: Torment´. Taking place in the same outlandish setting is the `The Planescape Trilogy´ by Rogue Dao Studios. Developed for the `Neverwinter Nights II´ engine, this massive three part modification is currently making steady progress judging by the animations and screenshots in their recent update.

Modron

A number of months ago  a demo was released to the public, if you wish to try it you can find the `Purgatorio Demo´ here. Their official forums are located here, where you can find more images and details on the modification.

Discuss in the forums.

Tags: Black Isle Studios, D&D, Dungeons & Dragons, Modron, Neverwinter Nights II, NWN2, Obsidian Entertainment, Planescape: Torment, Purgatorio, Rogue Dao Studios, The Planescape Trilogy, Town of Hopeless